NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Measures Heat Radiating from TRAPPIST-1 c

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has made a groundbreaking discovery by measuring the heat radiating from TRAPPIST-1 c, an exoplanet. TRAPPIST-1 c is a rocky planet that orbits a red dwarf star located 40 light years away from Earth. It has a daytime temperature of approximately 225 degrees Fahrenheit.

An international team of researchers utilized the Webb Telescope to quantify the amount of heat energy emitted by TRAPPIST-1 c. The main objective was to determine whether a planet’s atmosphere can withstand the harsh conditions of a red dwarf star. The results indicate that the planet’s atmosphere is very thin and may have formed with minimal water.

In the past, scientists could only study planets with thick, hydrogen-rich atmospheres. However, with the Webb Telescope, they can now explore atmospheres dominated by oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. Sebastian Zieba, one of the authors of the first paper published in Nature, expressed their excitement about this new capability.

To observe the TRAPPIST-1 system, the team used the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) provided by the Webb Telescope. They conducted observations on four separate occasions as the planet moved behind the star, a phenomenon known as a secondary eclipse. By comparing the brightness when the planet was behind the star to when it was beside the star, the researchers calculated the amount of mid-infrared light emitted during the planet’s day.

The amount of mid-infrared light emitted by a planet is directly related to its temperature, which is influenced by the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide gas specifically absorbs 15-micron light, causing the planet to appear dimmer at that wavelength. However, clouds can reflect light, making the planet appear brighter and potentially obscuring the presence of carbon dioxide.

Furthermore, a substantial atmosphere of any composition redistributes heat from the day to the night, resulting in lower daytime temperatures compared to a planet without an atmosphere. The data collected also suggests that TRAPPIST-1 c is unlikely to be a true Venus analogue with its thick CO2 atmosphere and sulfuric acid clouds.

The absence of a thick atmosphere on TRAPPIST-1 c implies that the planet may have formed with relatively little water. This finding raises the possibility that other planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system, such as TRAPPIST-1 b, may have also started with fewer water and essential components needed for habitability.

The sensitivity of the Webb Telescope allowed scientists to distinguish between various atmospheric scenarios on such a small planet. The drop in brightness detected during a secondary eclipse was only 0.04 percent, equivalent to identifying four out of 10,000 tiny light bulbs that were not functioning.

Following this research, the team plans to conduct further investigations to observe the full orbits of TRAPPIST-1 b and TRAPPIST-1 c. By studying how temperatures change from the day to night side of these planets, scientists hope to gain more insights into the presence or absence of atmospheres.

The James Webb Space Telescope’s ability to delve deeper into the mysteries of planets like TRAPPIST-1 c brings us closer to understanding the potential habitability of exoplanets and the diversity of planetary systems beyond our own.

trappist-1e

Eclipse. This allowed them to estimate the temperature on the surface of TRAPPIST-1 c.

The groundbreaking discovery revealed that TRAPPIST-1 c has a daytime temperature of approximately 225 degrees Fahrenheit. This finding provides valuable insights into the planet’s atmospheric composition and its ability to withstand the extreme conditions of its host star, a red dwarf.

The Webb Telescope’s advanced capabilities have revolutionized the study of exoplanets. Unlike previous telescopes, the Webb Telescope enables scientists to analyze the atmospheres of planets with various compositions, including those dominated by oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.

The research team utilized the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) provided by the Webb Telescope to observe the TRAPPIST-1 system. They conducted observations during four separate secondary eclipses, where the planet moved behind its host star. By comparing the brightness of the planet when it was behind the star with its brightness when beside the star, scientists were able to determine the amount of mid-infrared light emitted during the eclipse. This information helped estimate the surface temperature of TRAPPIST-1 c.

The study’s findings indicate that TRAPPIST-1 c has a thin atmosphere and may have limited water content. This insight adds to our understanding of exoplanet atmospheres and their potential for hosting life. The discovery of a rocky planet with such a close proximity to its host star opens up possibilities for further research into habitable environments and the potential for extraterrestrial life.

Overall, the James Webb Space Telescope’s groundbreaking measurement of the heat radiating from TRAPPIST-1 c has provided valuable information about the planet’s atmosphere and its ability to withstand the extreme conditions of a red dwarf star. This discovery showcases the capabilities of the Webb Telescope in advancing our understanding of exoplanets and brings us closer to unraveling the mysteries of the universe.